Boxer wins second state title

Local boxer Michael Hamilton remains undefeated in his professional boxing career after being crowned the NSW Super Featherweight Champion in Canberra on Saturday.

The odds were against him at the Hellenic Club of Canberra as the majority of the very vocal capacity crowd were there to support his opponent Canberra local Ben Dencio who was also undefeated in his professional career.

With both combatants undefeated, this bout made for a very worthy Championship Title fight.

Dencio weighed in 300 grams over the Super Featherweight Limit of 58.97 Kilos and was ordered to cut the weight and given time to make the weight limit which he did on his second attempt.

The bout scheduled for 8 x 3 minute rounds saw plenty of action from both fighters from the opening bell.

Hamilton was content to stay on the back foot and counter his opponent as he came forward and Dencio very patient and hard to hit at times showing skill and head movement.

BEAT TO IT: Michael Hamilton fought his way to his second NSW title in Canberra on Saturday.

Michael Hamilton's undefeated professional boxing record continued.

After an accidental head clash during the bout which opened up a very large and deep cut over Dencios eye, the referee called the ringside Doctor to inspect the wound who in turn made the decision to stop the fight as the cut was bleeding into his eye. Hamilton received a smaller cut to the top of his forehead that was superficial by comparison. With the bout being stopped by the doctor and sufficient rounds already completed the decision then went to the Judges score cards.

All three ringside judges awarded a technical Unanimous Decision to Hamilton who had won every round before the Doctor and Referee stopped the contest.

Hamilton who already holds the current NSW Lightweight Title Belt which he won in his last outing in Sydney just 2 months ago against an opponent with 25 Professional fights on his record has achieved something that very few fighters in the last 30 years have done. In just his forth Professional fight, he holds the NSW Title in 2 weight divisions.

Hamilton will now have to decide which Title he will vacate as the governing body of Professional Boxing in Australia the Australian National Boxing Federation (ANBF) only allows a boxer to hold one NSW Title at the same time. He has been given 14 days to decide which Title he will relinquish.

“At this point in time, it will probably be the NSW Lightweight Title that he will relinquish, as a rematch with Dencio in Canberra as the first defence of his title might be on the cards” said Michael’s trainer.

Michael will now have some much needed time off after a lengthy training camp for this fight which was a continuation directly after his previous bout two months ago.

“I didn’t stop training and dieting at all after winning the Lightweight Title because this opportunity came up so quickly. I usually like to have a break between fights because my family and I sacrifice so much when I am in training for a fight, but I couldn’t pass on the opportunity to become a 2 division NSW Champion” I’m now going to have some quality time with my family who have been so supportive of me and looking forward to eating some junk food and having a beer” Hamilton said.